GOVERNMENT OF MINISTRY OF MINES

RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.120 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6TH MAY, 2015

RESERVES OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN

*120. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether there are vast reserves of mineral resources, including Iron-ore in Karnataka; (b) if so, whether the Geological Survey of India has conducted any survey in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken for the proper exploitation of minerals in the State?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF MINES AND STEEL (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.120 REGARDING RESERVES OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN KARNATAKA ASKED BY SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD FOR ANSWER ON 6TH MAY 2015

(a): Yes. Karnataka has vast mineral resources, including iron-ore.

(b): The details of surveys conducted by Geological Survey of India in Karnataka in the last three years are as follows:

Mineral Block/ Area/ Belt District Gold Ajjanahalli Block, Gungrupenta South Block and Tumkur Dodbanakunte-Ramanahalli area Kakol Block Haveri Kudrekonda-Palavanahalli area, Nyamati- Shimoga Kunchenhalli area Bangaragatti Block, Hulkoppa Dharwar Dindavata-Lakkavanahalli- Malagondanahalli Chitradurga Block and Paramanahalli - Hiriyur area Kimberlite Maski Block Raichur, and Bellary Tawargeri Block Koppal and Bellary Molakalmuru Block Bellary & Chitradurga Nadigaddamalkapur and Turkandoni Raichur Kudligi Block Bellary & Chitradurga Manganese Chiknayakanhalli and Ramanguli area Tumkur Ramanguli area Uttar Barite Gadisankapura and Hungundkushtagi Schist Belt Clay Minerals/ Coastal area Udupi Bentonite Platinum Group of Nuggihalli Schist Belt Hassan Elements [PGE] PGE and Nickel- Ultramafic-mafic rocks around Bettadastenahalli, Hassan Chromium Tirumalapura, Yedegondanahalli areas, Holenarsupura Schist Belt Nickel, Cobalt, Pura-Antaraghatta Belt Hassan and Copper and PGE Tumkur Rare Earth Mincheri, Inchanal and Hireupper areas, Gogalgatti Raichur Elements and Lingadahalli areas Wanadurg Gulbarga Iron Ore Basavapatna-Kerebilichi Block, Channagiri Taluk Davangere Sirur-Kamatagi-Amingarh areas, Hungund Taluk Bagalkote (c): The Government has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act 1957, through the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 with effect from 12.1.2015, to address the constraints faced by the mining and quarrying sector. The amendments in the MMDR Act, 1957 will give impetus to the exploitation of minerals in the country by: (i) removing discretion in grant of mineral concessions, as mineral concessions will now be granted through auction by competitive bidding; (ii) allowing opening of mines which were closed due to pendency of decision on applications for second or subsequent renewal through extension of validity of lease period of the existing leases; (iii) providing security of tenure of mining lease period with a uniform lease period of 50 years; (iv) simplification of procedure, and removal of delay by eliminating requirement of prior approval of Central Government for grant of mining lease through auction; (v) establishment of National Mineral Exploration Trust, a dedicated fund to encourage exploration to augment mineral resources; (vi) allowing easy transferability of mineral concessions granted through auction, which would facilitate investments into the mining sector; (vii) establishment of District Mineral Foundation, which will work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related operations.

The Central Government has further empowered State Governments in respect of 31 minerals, which have been notified as ‘minor’ minerals on 10.2.2015, for regulation of grant of mineral concessions and for purposes connected therewith.

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